The Murton shopping centre has unveiled only the second quick charger in the North East for the new generation of electric cars.

The 50kw posts – the first was at the MetroCentre – can charge electric cars such as the Nissan Leaf up 80 per cent capacity in just 30 minutes, compared to eight hours for a full charge using a standard 3kw charging point.

Easington MP Grahame Morris visited the centre to give the new charging post the thumbs-up.

“It is a vote of confidence that Dalton Park is the beneficiary of only the second of theses quick charging posts in the region,” he said.

“It is putting the North East very much at the forefront, not only of the manufacture of and innovation in electric vehicles but in terms of the infrastructure to allow their use.”

Dalton Park boss Jerry Hatch is confident the new facility will make the retail outlet a more attractive proposition.

“With over 22,000 car visits each week, we can expect a significant increase in the use of electric vehicles over the next two years,” he said.

“And we want to be well placed to offer customers ‘anxiety-free’ car-charging facilities.”

Installing the charging post is the latest step in Dalton Park’s drive to reduce its carbon footprint.

Since 2008, the centre has focused on improving its recycling and cutting its electricity and water usage, as well as holding an ongoing series of going green workshops for customers and the community.

An Environmental Management System was set up last year, which has led to significant improvements, including cutting electrical usage by more than 10 per cent in landlord areas and two per cent among tenants, slashing water consumption reduced by more than half and reducing waste going to landfill by 12 per cent.

l Planners were today meeting to decide on proposals which could change the shopping landscape of East Durham.

The three supermarket schemes for Peterlee and the phase two development of Dalton Park are set to be discussed by Durham County Council.

Officers have recommended the extension at Dalton Park, which would cost £24million and see a supermarket, cinema, restaurants, hotel and petrol station created, turned down.